Strapless shoe



Dec. 2 7, 1960 Fig. 4:

J'. A. SAF FIR STRAPLESS SHOE Filed Dec. 15, 1955 Y INVE 0R.

United States Patent O STRAPLESS SHOE Jacob A. Sair, 6530 W. th St., Los Angeles, Calif.

Filed Dec. 15, 1955, Ser. No. 553,225

14 Claims. (Cl. 36-2.5)

'I'his invention relates to the art of footwear and more particularly it pertains to shoes, in their diversified types, and combinations embodying the same. In a preferred adaptation, the invention embraces the type of shoe, worn more often by women, which depends on straps, bands, or ties for adherence to the foot.

Shoes of this nature have been held in place, heretofore, by one or more straps or bands distributed over the foot from various strategic points on the toe or instep portion of the upper and enclosing the ankle portion for proper support of the shoe.

To achieve the more desirable and stylish bare look of the foot, straps and bands have been thinned, moved from the toe portion to begin at and be attached to the heel portion of the shoe and in many cases, notably where only one strap is employed, leaving the wearer of the shoe to flap around as best she can.

The object of this invention is the provision of a new article of manufacture comprising footwear such as a shoe held in position either entirely or partially by magnetic force and not depending entirely or in the main on straps or binding means for holding the shoe in position.

An important object comprises a footwear combination including a shoe effectively retained on the foot by the expedient of magnetic attraction.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by those skilled in this art as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Y Figure l is a layer of cloth shaped like the outline of an insole.

Figure 2 is a cross section of aV metallic and leather sheath shaped like the outline of an insole.

Figure 3 is a cross section of a shoe.

Figure 4 is a cross section of layer 2 in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross section of a modification of the toe section of a shoe.

Figure 6 is a cross section of a modification of the i11- sole of a shoe.

Figure 7 is directed to an enlarged diagrammatic view, partly in section, of the heel portion of a shoe provided with a modified form of magnet.

Figure 8 is an elevation of a stocking showing metallic threads in the sole thereof.

A preferred embodiment of my invention comprises the provision of magnets, in the sole and heel of the shoe and a stocking or stocking insert of either magnetic material or magnetically attractive material adapted for and susceptible to a coordinated magnetic attraction relative to the aforesaid magnets, thereby retaining the shoe in proper place on the foot. It should be noted that the reference herein to magnetizable means generically contemplates both magnets or magnetic materials, and also materials which are magnetizable, i.e., susceptible to magnetization or magnetic attraction, exemplified by magnetizable metal.

In Figure 3 is a shoe showing such construction. At 1 "ice is a thin insole of leather, paper, or plastic upon which the foot rests. At 2 is the midsole or inner structure, this being the layer that gives the shape and outline to the shoe. It is made generally of leather, often supportedby metal and can be made of wood, imitation leather, entirely of metal, or of plastic.

In this illustration there are two openings in this layer to receive the permanent magnets 3 and 13. It is understood that where metal is used forsupporting purposes, such metal will then be of a non-magnetic kind, such as aluminum, copper, etc. Similarly, any nails not employed for magnetic purposes should be of a non-magnetic type.

The magnet near the heel portion can also be inserted in the heel 5, as shown by the dotted lines at 4-lengthwise into the heel with the top portion 14 next to the insole 1.

When more powerful magnetism than that obtained by permanent magnets is contemplated, as by an electromagnet, a small battery can be placed in this portion of the heel, this being illustrated by Figure 7. f

Figure 4 is a top view of the sole of the shoe in which the insole has been removed, showing the midsoleZ and the position of the magnets 3 and 13. The dotted line 14 comprises the'upper portion of the magnet 4 in the heel of Figure 3 and shows its relative position.-

Although two separate magnets are here illustrated, a single magnet could cover sufficient surface to be workable. Similarly, the shoe could be constructed with three, four, or any number of small embedded magnets, even as many as thirty or more very small permanent magnets.

It will be understood that the magnet or magnets*V may be embodied in the sole structure per se of the footwear or in the heel per se thereof. Moreover, as indicated, the conjoint function of a magnet or magnets in both the heel and sole portions of the footwear may be utilized. Thus, the positioning of the magnet or magnets in the sole and/or heel of the footwear, such as a shoe, is subject to the dictates of adaption and/or applicable structural footwear design. y

To attract the magnets in the shoe, either magnetic material or magnetizable material is placed on the foot of the wearer of these shoes. This can be accomplished in many ways. l v

Figure 1 illustrates what can be used as an insert in va stocking and consists of a piece of fabric into which has been woven magnetizable threads of iron which may be lacquered to prevent rusting. Or, they can be plated with any non-rusting material that will not interfere with the magnetic attraction.

To cover 20, the arch of the foot, the fabric may be constructed in shape and size like the surface of the shoe with which it is to cooperate. The pressure of the'foot will hold this exible material evenly against the insole.

Another method is to weave magnetizable threadsin the sole portion of the stocking, stockette, ped, or anklet, itself as seen in Figure 8.

Figure 2 illustrates another device to lit under the stocking or be part of the stocking, anklet, or ped.

The top portion 16 upon which the foot rests may be constructed of a smooth material that will feel comfortable and be non-irritating to the skin, such as leather, felt, cork, cloth, etc.

The said portion 16 is attached to the metal plate 17 which is either a magnet itself or of magnetizable material for use in coopera-tion with oppio-sing members in the stocking or on the foot itself. This metal can be shaped like the foot of the wearer or can be made of distortable material which will conform when steppedon.

A suitable magnet or magnetizable device can be taped, stuck, or pasted directly on the foot, or, if preferred,

on to the stocking or pcd by Scotch tape, adhesive or other fastening means. In brief, the magnetizable means, such as a magnet or magnet or magnetizable material, the latter being desirably a magnetizable metal plate or member, may be associated with the foot of a wearer inA any expedient manner for magnetically cooperating with the magnet or magnetizable material correlated with the footwear, such as a sole structure or a shoe.

Although it appears preferable to place the magnets in the shoe, it is pointed out again that they may be placed in either the shoe or stocking or both. Thus, in lieu of coordinating the magnet or magnets with the footwear structure, such as in a sole structure or with the sole and/ or heel portion of a shoe, the magnetizable material, desirably magnetizable metal or the like, may be correlated with the footwear structure, which as aforesaid, may be a sole structure per se or the sole and/or heel portion of a shoe, by way of illustration. Likewise the magnetically correlated means associated with the foot of a wearer desirably at the lower portion of the foot or undersurface thereof, may comprise at least one magnet or alternatively a magnetizable material, such as a magnetizable metal sheet or element. However, the attendant requisite is that at least one of the magnetizable means associated with either the footwear or the footo f a wearer should be a magnet or its equivalent, cooperating with the other magnetizable means.

In this latter connection, the reference herein to a magnet or magnetizable means associated with the foot of a wearer is intended to embrace a magnet or magnetizable material indirectly correlated with the foot, such as through a stocking having its lower portion fab ricated of interwoven magnetic or magnetizable threads, or through an insert applicable to the stocking.

If the shoes are to be used severely, such as for runing or climbing, or, if minimal magnetic devices are employed, the edges of the insole, midsole, or even outsole can be turned up to form a sort of retainer for the foot to prevent slippage.

In Figures 5 and 6 this is illustrated.

In Figure 5, the inner sole 1 is turned up in the toe region 7 to form a sort of retaining wall 6.

Similarly, Figure 6 which is a cross section of the insole has its edges turned up to help confine the foot and avoid slippage. A small area at the anterior portion can be turned up, the sides alone so treated, or the insole extended into a culi all around the shoe.

Concerning the details of Figure 7, it will be seen that the heel 5 is provided with a recess 30 having super imposed thereon applicable portions of midsole 2 and insole 1. The said insole and-midsole portions 1 and 2 are shown as removable with respect to the heel, the line of separation between the stationary and the removable portions of the relevant shoe structure being designated as 32. Within the said recess 30 there is positioned a container 28 of a non-magnetic material, such as aluminum or a plastic, the said container being retained in situ by the screws 31. Battery 26 along with electromagnet 25 with which it is in circuit is maintained in place within said container, and it is adapted to energize the said electromagnet, the coil ends of which are connected to the terminals of the said battery. It will be noted that elements 29 are provided for retaining the battery in a fixed positio-n within the said container 28, the said elements being likewise of a non-magnetic material. Y

Through the expedient of screw 27 the circuit involving the electromagnetic coil may be closed or opened as a result of `the attendant switch diagrammatically shown. Thus, by manipulating the said screw 27 the electromagnet may be energized for manifesting the desired magnetic attraction or it may be rendered passive, as by the withdrawal of said screw 27 to open the circuit. Likewise the replacement of the battery through the expedient of removable portions 1 and 2 may be effected.

It can also readily be seen that a magnet may be used in specific areas only, as, for instance to eliminate the anterior or toe bands or straps, or, to eliminate a strap employed at the angle or heel region.

The terms insole, outsole, midsole have been used respectively, as meaning rst, third, and second layer starting from the inner or foot surface. It is however clear that shoes can be made with more or less layers and the magnetic structure placed in any or all layers. Concerning the designation herein of sole structure," the purport thereof is intended as an article of footwear comprising a foot supporting means which fundamentally embraces a sole per se, whether or not any modifications are applied thereto, it being understood that said sole includes within its scope a single member or a composite structure.

The claims, therefore, should be construed broadly pursuant thereto. Moreover it will be understood that the essence of the term shoe, as utilized in the specifi` cation as well as in the appended claims, is intended to embrace any type of footwear comprising a relatively solid sole member or structure applicable as a support to the undersurface of a foot, irrespective of whether or not any upper appurtenances are associated therewith, and free from any distinction on the basis of the contemplated usage thereof either by men or women.

While the invention has been described in accordance with desirable embodiments thereof, these are primarily illustrative, and not limitative, in their purport. Thus it will be apparent that many changes may be made in the relevant details of fabrication and arrangement of parts, as well as in effecting other modifications thereof, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. In combination, footwear comprising a sole structure applicable as a support to the undersurface of a foot, a magnetizable means integrally associated with the said sole structure, and a magnetizable means associated with the foot of the wearer, at least one of said magnetizable means being a magnet cooperating with the other magnetizable means, thereby retaining the said sole structure on the foot of the wearer.

2. The combination of claim l in which the magnetizable means associated with the foot of the wearer is associated therewith by being stuck directly to the foot of the wearer.

3. Footwear comprising a sole structure applicable as a support to the undersurface of a foot, and at least one magnet integral with the said sole structure, whereby a magnetizable means coordinated with the foot of a wearer and subject to attraction by the said magnet will retain the said sole in position on the foot of a wearer.

4. Footwear comprising a sole structure applicable as a support to the undersurface of a foot, and at least one magnetizable means integral with the said sole, whereby a magnet associated with a foot of the wearer and c0- operating with the said magnetizable means will retain the sole structure in position on the foot of a said wearer.

5. A shoe structure comprising an insole, a midsole, an outsole, and a heel in correlated structural relationship, and at least one magnet positioned in the midsole below the sole portion of the foot of a wearer, whereby a magnetizable means coordinated with the foot of a wearer and subject to attraction by the said magnet will retain the shoe in position on the foot of a wearer.

6. A shoe structure comprising an insole, a midsole, an outsole, and a heel in correlated structural relationship, at least one magnet positioned in the midsole below the sole portion of the foot of a wearer, and a magnet positioned between the insole and the heel of the shoe, whereby a magnetizable means coordinated with the foot of a wearer and subject to attraction by the said magnets will retain the shoe in position on the foot `of a wearer.

7. 4In footwear: a shoe having a heel portion; a magnet secured to said heel portion; a stocking adapted to fit the foot of the wearer of the shoe; and armature means on the lower heel portion of the stocking for attraction by said magnet.

8. In footwear: a shoe having a heel portion; a magnet secured to said heel portion; a stocking adapted to t the foot of the wearer of the shoe; and armature threads in the lower heel portion of the stocking for attraction by said magnet.

9. In a footwear combination, a shoe having at least one magnet integral with the structure thereof, and a magnetizable means associated with the foot of the wearer cooperating wtih the magnet to retain the shoe on the said foot of the wearer, the said magnetizable means comprising a stocking having an insert at the foot portion thereof, said insert embracing a magnetizable metal and being in coordinated relationship with the magnet integral with the shoe structure.

10. In a footwear combination, a shoe having at least one magnet integral with the structure thereof, and a magnetizable means associated with the foot of the wearer cooperating with the magnet to retain the shoe sole and having a magnetizable material incorporated in said sole, whereby when in use, the shoe is retained by magnetic attraction against the stockinged foot of the wearer.

12. Means to hold a shoe, in which a magnet is incorporated, to the wearers foot, said means comprising a stocking including a foot having a sole and having an insert of magnetizable material in said sole the magnetizable material being positioned in said stocking in a position to cooperate with the magnet incorporated in said shoe.

13. A shoe structure comprising a sole portion and a heel portion, at least one electro-magnet means mounted in said shoe structure, battery means within said shoe structure connected to said electro-magnetic means to activate said electro-magnetic means.

14. The structure of claim 13 also including an electric switch whereby said electro-magnetic means may be selectively activated or deactivated.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 750,903 Shrum Feb. 2, 1904 1,597,934 Stimpson Aug. 31, 1926 2,722,062 Phillips Nov. l, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,503 Great Britain June 27, 1884 

